Vibratory-diaphragm controller



1 y 21, 2 M. l. WILLIAMSON 1,713,581

VIBRATORY DIAPHRAGM CONTROLLER Filed April 28, 1925 2 Sheetg-Sheet l Patented May 21', 1 929.

PATENT OFFICE.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMSON, or IBALTIMQBE, MARYLAND.

VIBRATORY-DIAPHRAGM CONTROLLER.

Application filed April 28, 1925 Serial No. 26,823.

This invention relates to improvements in such instruments as are equipped with vibratory diaphragms for the production or reproduction ofetherial or other vibrations resulting in sensible effects such as may be perceived by the ear or other sense either directly or indirectly. V

One principal object of the invention is to provide improved means for adjustably 1o controlling the vibrations, irrespective of their cause, of the diaphragm in such in-- struments and to render the sensitivity of such diaphragmsminutely adjustable over a wide range of impulse frequencies thereby to enable nice and easy variation and regulation of the effects resulting from their vibratory activities.

1 A second object of the invention is to provide an adjustable controlling and regulating means of the character set forth, which is entirely independent of the elements or forces which cause vibrations of such diaphragms.

A third object of'the invention is to provide an improved adjustable, controlling and regulating means of the character set forth which is extremely simple in construction and operation and entirely practical from the standpoints of commercial manufacture and sale. I v I A fourth important object of the inven-' tion is to provide an improved device, for

controlling the amplitude of vibration ofthe diaphragm such as is used in the receiver orreproducer of a phonograph,'in a tele phone, in a radio loud speaker and in other instruments wherein a diaphragm forms the vibratory element.

A fifth important object of the invention is to provide an improved diaphragm mounting for instrument'semploying' a diaphragm as a vibratory element, the mounting being so arranged as to permit adjustment of the amplitude of vibration of the diaphragm through'a wide range under equal impulses received by said diaphragm.

'With' the above and other objects in view as 'will'be hereinafter apparent, the inventionconsists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claime V In the accompanying drawings like characters-of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a vertical median section through an instrument embodying the principles of this invention, the instrument being shown of the type preferably adapted to be employed for radio-signal or radio telephone reproduction and being of the type commonly called a loud-speaker.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1 with the base omitted.

Figure?) is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

' Figure 4 is a vertical median section of a certain split collar used herewith.

Figure 5 is a similar view of one of a pair of certain resilient pads used herewith.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the invention as shown in Figure 1, with the outer collar omitted. V

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section through the periphery of the invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a certain rubber covered spiral spring adapted for use as an alternative of the elastic pad shown in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an edge View of the spring shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the invention as applied to 'a phonograph reproducer.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure, 10 showing the invention applied to a telephone receiver.

In the invention as disclosed in Figure 1 there is provided a shallow cylindrical cup having a side wall 10 which is internally threaded at its bottom end to receive the bottom- 11 of the cup, this bottom having a is mounted a small electro-magnet 13, of the telephone or radiophone receiver type, and

this magnet is centrally seated on the bottom. At its upper edge the side wall 10 is rovided with several turns of internal or emale threading. At 14 is a six flanged washer-like spider, the diameter of which,

at the base of the flanges, is slightly less than the inside diameter of the member 10, while the diameter of the flanges or projections 15 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of said member 10. The outer faces of i an these flanges are right hand threaded con-' tinuously from one to another, the gaps 'between the flanges thus causing the member to constitute an interrupted screw .The' inside diameter or" th s spider .is ust great enough to permit its free passage over and around the poles of the -electro-inagnet 13, these fpolesextending somewhat. above the cup formed by the members 1Oand"11. At 16 is cylindricalportion 10 of thecup. The lower a short cylinder having internal andeXten 'nal diameterscorresponding to'those ofthe edge of this cylinder is deeply crenellated by six'slots of slightly greater width than the flanges or projectionsl5 and theseslots are approximately twice as deep as: thelthiclcr nessdoi' said flanges. Moreover, their spacv at the top and bottom, courseinterrupted at theislots and by means.

of these threads tl eni'ember is threaded into theupper edge of the member 10. TilUS the; flanges l5-project through the solts l6 and the member l l is therehy held inposition;

ing corresponds .with the spacing-,of-the flanges 15, so that saidiianges will iitneatl-y in said slots. This member. 16 is threaded tlie. threads-being, of

, 'Wlll l) being capable of a limited vertical I these two ;spiders are, mounted a pair of resilient pads 22 having confronting on cave s des and .oetween these two pads is a movementu On thethreaded uppernoi'tionof this cylinder is screwed .an internally -threadedannular collar 1?, the inside diam v eter and threads of which such as to *enable it to be connected tor halt t depth on thethreads'at the top of the cyl n' 7 At 18isa second. short slottei'l cyl nder identical with the cylinder ldbut inverted" so as be threaded into the upper halt of the thread in" the collar 1'4, and at l9is. a

spidersimilarin all respects to thespider 14 except that the threadspn the flanges 2O of'this; spider are left hand threads; (in the upper end of the second slotted'cylin der l8 is screwed a cup shaped'n embei' Zlprovnled with ahollow spindle or tube22 for engage-' ment' a liorn,j lliius.v the upper spider is. held between the upper hollow cylinderand.

the upper cupshapedmember21.; Between thin vibratory diaphragm 23 sli htly greater in dia neterthanthe inner dia neterotthe cylinders .16 and .18 which thus Securely grip the diaphra in at its periphery; Surroundfing these .parts an annular/collar consistmg oflan upper member, 2% threaded nter-- nally to engage the threads ion; the .me 'nber l9 and a lowenn ember 25lthreaded inter other, when rotation is in one direction, and away from each other when the rotation is in the; opposite direction'.- In this manner the. two resilient pads iniay be compressed and the diaineterof the diaphragm 23 may In place of such pads. 22 spiraforni' rubber covered springs 27 inay be employed and the parts be increased or diminished at WillQ may be locked" together, when desired, by screws 28 H Suitablegraduations 29 may be used on the split collar andya' pointer 30 on the member 21 gniav. also be used to indicate 1 the adjustment obtained.

It will be, obvious that in. placeof the electr c magnet-13 a needle arn'i may bei sed.

as shown in Fig. 10 and that-instead of the tube 22 an ear Fig. 11. v

With the foregoing arrangement it will be. seen thatro'tating. the split collar inone direction and decreasing the diameter of; the v diaphgrain will decrease the amplitude-of vibration of such diaphragm while, rotation of the split collar in the oppositeldirection j will increase the diameter and 'perinit-in-.

crease ofthej amplitude of vibrations of the.

same actuating conditions. i It .is a recognized fact that all naturalperiod of vibration, which are the piece may be employed as in.

vibratory diaphrag ns have what are known as their normal or simplest of their multifarious-v modes oiwibratory activity. That different diaphragnis, .diaphragms of different mate:

rials, of different sizes, shapes and thicknesses have di'fierent natural periods of v1- bration and requ re. different degrees ori stages of vibratoryiinpulse to actiiate them.

Moreover,two diaphra'gms otthe SQJIIG'IIlfiterialand of the same thickness and shape hut-jot different size, will have different naturalvibratory periods, and will Icon'se-Q quently i produce different vibratory effects throughout their entire .ran 'es of 'ac'tivit size; of a given diaphragm, without chang 7 Frointhis, it'will: be seen that varying the ing itsthickness'or general shape, willvary V both-its mass audits st ffness or tension.

The present invention. provides means for varying the eliectiveniass of thefdiaphragin andgfor varying the 'stiff-nessor tension of said eliective mass or'area' and by so doing, the diaphragm' can be tuned 'at will, and without sh tting .the diaphragm from the position ;to,which ,it has been adjusted. 1 t is obvious that-theimnor-changes'inay beniade in tlie form and constructionofthe invention without departingfrom the inaterial spirit thereof. It is"not, therefOTQ, le-

sire'd to' confine the invention to theexact form herein shown and described-but it is desired to include all su'chas within the scope claimed. V Having thusdescribed theiinvention, what 18 claimed as new, is;

device of the properly come on the side remote from the diaphragm and a means mounted upon the collar for shifting the washers laterally with relation to the diaphragm.

2. In a device of the kind described, a vibratory diaphragm, elastic washers arranged on opposite sides of said diaphragm and each having a shallow concavity in the side next to the diaphragm, rigid washers engaging the elastic members on the side remote from the diaehragm, said washers having right and left hand threads on their peripheries respectively, and a collar engaging said washers and having internal right and left hand threads at its ends.

'3. In a device of the kind described, a vi bratory diaphragm, elastic washers arranged on opposite sides of said and each having a'shallow concavity in the side next to the diaphragm, rigid washers engaging the elastic members on the side remote from the diaphragm, said washers h vin'g right and left hand threads on their peripheries respectively, a collar engagii'ig said washers and having internal right and left hand threads at its ends and a cage sup-.

porting said washers against rotation.

4. In a device of the kind described, a vibratory diaphragm, elastic washers arranged on opposite sides of said diaphragm and each having a shallow concavity in the side next to the diaphragm, rigid Washersengaging the elastic members on the side remote from the eiaphragm, a cage surrounding the washers and diaphragm and provided with spaced peripheral slots, arms on said washers projecting through said slots and interrupted right hand threads on the outer edges of the arms of one washer and interrupted left hand threads on the outer edges of the diaphragm arms of the other washer, and a collar fitting over said-arms and internally threaded to engage the same.

5. In a device having a vibrator diaphragm, adjustable members paralle ly arranged 011 opposite sides of the diaphragm and having pro ecting flanges at their pe ripheries, a surrounding frame adapted to engage said flanges thereby to support the said members against rotation or lateral movement while permitting a limited movement thereof directly toward and from each other, and means for arbitrarily effecting such limited movement of the said members within the aforesaid frame.

6. In a device having a vibratory diaphragm, adjustable members arranged parallelly on opposite sides of the diaphragm and a surrounding frame or housing within which saidanembers are peripherally held,

said members having interlocking elements with the housing, lateral movement within the housing, and means for engaging the prot uding peripheral flanges of said members externally of the housing whereby simul taneously to move the said members directly toward and from each other therewithin.

7. In a device having a vibratorv diaphragm, a supporting housing therefor the walls of said housing being perforated by peripherally spaced slots adjustable coacting members having correspondingly spaced protruding flanges on their peripheries, said members being arranged diametrically within the housing and supported against rotation while permitting a limited movement thereof directly toward and from each other, and a single or unified external means for arbitrarily effecting such limited movement of the said members within the housing.

8. In a device comprising a supporting housing for a vibratory diaphragm, an external collar, partially protruding adjustable coacting members supported by the colla r within the housing, and means within the said collar for variably changing the positions of said coacting members within the housing.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MARSHALL I. WILLIAMS ON. 

